Springfield couple, upset with police, say they had no idea guest was murder suspect

Amos "Butch" Evans stands in the living room of his home on North Roosevelt Avenue. He says Springfield police damaged his home and his family's possessions when they executed a search warrant.(Photo: Giacomo Bologna/News-Leader)Buy Photo

Amos "Butch" Evans said he couldn't find any pictures to bring to his brother's funeral Friday.

Evans, 49, knew there were pictures of his brother in his house — somewhere under the debris — he just didn't know where.

Three days earlier, police surrounded his home on North Roosevelt Avenue and ordered anyone inside to come out.

Officers were searching for a murder suspect who hid in the house for more than seven hours before police say he gave himself up.

Evans — who said he and his wife had no idea that a family friend was wanted for murder — said police caused about $3,000 in damage to his home during the standoff and the subsequent search of the home.

Evans said he fears his landlord will evict him and his wife.

Drawers were ripped out of dressers. Wooden chairs were thrown outside and broken. Four windows were smashed. Holes were busted in the walls and attic.

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Karrie Evans holds up a family portrait that she said was in picture frame before police knocked it over and smashed the frame.(Photo: Giacomo Bologna/News-Leader)

Amos "Butch" Evans stands in the living room of his home on North Roosevelt Avenue. He says Springfield police damaged his home and his family's possessions when they executed a search warrant. Giacomo Bologna/News-Leader

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Karrie Evans said an officer told her she would need to find another place to live after they were done conducting the search. She said she took this to mean that police were intending to damage her home.

Their next-door neighbor, Frank Thompson, said he's been in their home before the search warrant and that it's normally a clean house.

Now, Thompson said, it looks as though a "tornado" went through the home.

By the end of the search, the Evanses said police found drugs in a purse in a living room. They said that purse belonged to someone else, saying they don't keep drugs or guns at their home.

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A Springfield police investigator takes photos as they search a house where police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.(Photo: Nathan Papes/News-Leader)

Both have criminal records and both said they have struggled with addiction. Butch Evans said he went to prison for burglaries.

Karrie Evans said a drug problem led her to prison, where court records show she served time for burglary.

Now, in their 23rd year of marriage, the Evanses are in the midst of building a new life.

Butch Evans said he's on disability, does odd jobs and works on cars in their backyard.

Karrie Evans said she works full time as a machine operator and is making the best wages she ever has.

"I go to work every day," Karrie Evans said, tearing up. "I pay my bills now, and I paid for everything in that house they tore up."

Karrie Evans said she's considering talking to a lawyer about the situation.

A News-Leader review in 2017 found that the city of Springfield has paid more than $1 million over the past five years to settle claims against police.

There were 89 resolved claims made against Springfield police between 2011 and 2016, and the highest percentage of claims dealt with alleged damage to homes. Records show only a few of those claims resulted in a monetary settlement.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said the number of legal claims involving SPD is "extremely low" compared to bigger cities.

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Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.(Photo: Nathan Papes/News-Leader)

Butch Evans stood in his living room as he spoke with a reporter Friday. He pointed to the possessions that had been thrown on the floor nearly everywhere, making it difficult to walk through the home.

"We don't live like this," Evans said.

Evans's wife bent over and pulled out a family portrait from items on the floor. She said the photo — like others in the house — had been knocked over and stepped on by police, breaking the frame.

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Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

A Springfield police investigator holds evidence markers as they search a house where police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

A Springfield police investigator takes photos as they search a house where police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Springfield police say they arrested a man in connection with a December shooting at a Motel 6 that left one man dead. The man was arrested after a 7-hour standoff that ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Nathan Papes/News-Leader